Page:Richard III (1927) Yale.djvu/75

Richard the Third, III. i

York. Well, my dear lord; so must I call you now.

Prince. Ay, brother, to our grief, as it is yours:

Too late he died that might have kept that title,

Which by his death hath lost much majesty.

Rich. How fares our cousin, noble Lord of York?

York. I thank you, gentle uncle. O, my lord,

You said that idle weeds are fast in growth:

The prince my brother hath outgrown me far.

Rich. He hath, my lord.

York. And therefore is he idle?

Rich. O, my fair cousin, I must not say so.

York. Then he is more beholding to you than I.

Rich. He may command me as my sovereign;

But you have power in me as in a kinsman.

York. I pray you, uncle, give me this dagger.

Rich. My dagger, little cousin? with all my heart.

Prince. A beggar, brother?

York. Of my kind uncle, that I know will give;

And, being but a toy, which is no grief to give.

Rich. A greater gift than that I'll give my cousin.

York. A greater gift! O, that's the sword to it.

Rich. Ay, gentle cousin, were it light enough.

York. O, then, I see, you'll part but with light gifts;

In weightier things you'll say a beggar nay.

Rich. It is too weighty for your Grace to wear.

York. I weigh it lightly, were it heavier.

Rich. What! would you have my weapon, little lord?

York. I would, that I might thank you, as you call me.

Rich. How?

York. Little.

Prince. My Lord of York will still be cross in talk.

Uncle, your Grace knows how to bear with him.

 97 dear; cf. n.

99 late: lately

114 toy: trifle

126 cross: given to opposition

